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NCAAB Picks

Bet Iowa State -1.5 over North Carolina

The Iowa State Cyclones have lost one of
their three best players and scorers, Georges Niang, which deprives the team of
their third-leading scorer. The forward averaged almost 17 points per game
during the season. How will Iowa State deal with this situation on Sunday
afternoon and how will its opponent from North Carolina handle the scenario as
well? Find out what our handicapper has to say in regards to our picks.

The Tar Heels can win because…They
have a much better matchup without Niang. He was the player who really balanced
out the Cyclones' offense. He had a full assortment of post moves and could
also step out and hit a jump shot. Niang worked really well in combination with
Melvin Ejim and DeAndre Kane, giving Iowa State three very good scorers who
could play inside and outside. He might have done more for Iowa State's offense
than any other player because he had the most diverse skill set on the team.
His absence will make Iowa State's offense less effective and his absence will
also make it that much easier for North Carolina's post players to play against
a less experienced, less talented frontcourt for Iowa State. North Carolina's
James McAdoo should be able to play well now that Niang is out of the Iowa State
lineup and when McAdoo is playing well, North Carolina very rarely loses.
McAdoo is inconsistent, but when he does show up, the Tar Heels become
extremely hard to beat.

It's
also worth saying that Iowa State now becomes a much thinner team without Niang.
The Cyclones have only six players who average at least seven minutes of
playing time per game. Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg will have to find 40
minutes of playing time from his roster on Sunday, all because he has to
replace Niang. Can Iowa State get 40 quality minutes from a combination of
reserves that will be pressed into service? The Cyclones are in trouble. That’s
why UNC is the better choice for your NCAA basketball picks.

The Cyclones can win because…They are playing an opponent that is just
weak enough to not take advantage of this opportunity. You saw on Friday night
just how average North Carolina's defense really is. The Tar Heels not only
failed to stop Providence star Bryce Cotton (who scored 36 points) but they also
failed to get defensive rebounds on the few times Cotton missed a field goal
attempt. North Carolina was slow and unresponsive on defense throughout that
game against Providence and it was very lucky to survive. Iowa State, even
without Niang, has an offense that is better than Providence's. This is true
for a very simple reason: Iowa State's offense does not depend on any one
player – even Niang. Melvin Ejim and DeAndre Kane can create their own shots on
demand and Ejim's ability to get offensive rebounds will give Iowa State added
possessions in this game. The Cyclones also have role players who are good
perimeter shooters and can give North Carolina problems. Naz Long and Matt
Thomas are these kinds of players, and they are going to make their presences
felt in ways that North Carolina might not expect. Playing without Niang hurts
the Cyclones, but they still have enough material on offense to bother and
ultimately beat North Carolina and cover the small spread on the NCAA
basketball odds.

Outlook & PickThis game is a total toss-up. North
Carolina should benefit from Niang's injury but if he had been on the court,
Iowa State would have rolled the Tar Heels comfortably. This game should go
down to the wire but North Carolina is just not tough enough to be trusted.
Iowa State will win by one basket.